With the participation of 386 resident doctors
The National Institute for Health Specialties (NIHS) announced the launch of the Emirati Board Exams, with the participation of 386 resident doctors, at the Examination Center of the College of Medicine and Health Sciences at UAEU on the morning of Sunday, June 11, 2023. These exams constitute a vital facet in meeting the requirements for specialized qualification of doctors. The process adheres to strict standards, encompassing the implementation of an educational and training curriculum based on competencies. In addition, it incorporates a system of continuous evaluation of trainees’ performance, alongside knowledge and practical tests.
Dr. Mohammed Al Houqani, the Secretary General of NIHS, explained, “The Emirati Board exams were held concurrently with Saudi Commission for Health Specialties. This collaboration is grounded in the mutual understanding agreement between the two institutions, an outcome of the Saudi-Emirati Coordination Council. The initial segment of assessments gauged the trainees’ cognitive achievement, encompassing specializations such as Psychiatry, General Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology, ENT, Anesthesiology, Dermatology, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Emergency Medicine and Urology. Subsequent to this, final exams clinical will be held upon the completion of the training requirements. Successful completion will culminate in obtaining the Specialty Certificate “Emirati Board” from NIHS.”
Al-Houqani indicated that eligibility for the board exams includes all trainees in the NIHS-accredited programs. These programs focus on periodic assessment of the trainees’ competencies and adhere to the institute’s requirements based on best practices in medical education. To qualify, a trainee must meet the specialized training criteria and demonstrate competence through skill evaluations during their training period. This includes successfully passing the two-part board exam: the first “written” part, and the second “practical” part, to ultimately obtain the Emirati Board Certification. Al-Houqani expects that the number of accredited programs and trainees under the institute’s purview will double by the next year. This serves as a testament to the eagerness of the training institutions to enhance training standards, consequently resulting in an enhanced quality of the healthcare services provided.
It is worth noting that the NIHS was established by Cabinet Decree No. 28 of 2014 as a national institution mandated to spearhead, regulate, and organize professional development for the health workforce with a particular emphasis on specialty training. The NIHS is nested within the UAE University, the premier national higher education institution in the country, and is governed by a high-profile Board of Directors chaired by HE Minister of Education.
